Page 133 of Rugger: The Huntress

“I love you, too.”

THIRTEEN

“Urgh.”

My head was spinning. It felt as if I’d been hit with two boulders the size of a Toyota Camry. The attempt to open my eyes failed initially. Instantly, I understood the circumstances and what had happened to me.

“Gazelle,” groggily, I called out to the woman I’d closed my eyes beside as I drifted off to sleep.

“You’re okay, Sonnie.”

Her reassurance did little to console me. Yet, I felt at ease. The throbbing headache would likely last an hour or two after gaining consciousness. I wasn’t looking forward to the pain.

“Here–”

As if she’d read my mind, Rugger placed a pill up to my lips and a glass of cool water in my hands. Though I shouldn’t be taking anything she was handing me, I opened wide and consumed the pill. I followed up with water to wash it down.

Dehydration was one of the side effects of the drug she’d laced dinner with. Her volunteering to stand over the stove should’ve been a red flag, but I let it slide and enjoyed the food she’d prepared for us. It had come with a hefty cost and a banging headache.

I didn’t lower the glass until it was empty. Immediately, she refilled it and placed it in my hand again. This time, my attempt to open my eyes was successful. Before me stood the most surreal figure I’d ever encountered.

“You were drugged,” she revealed as she leaned closer.

She used her index finger and thumb to widen my eyes. She examined my pupils with a small light.

“It won’t be long before you’re feeling like yourself.”

Genuinely confused, I asked. “What was the point, Gazelle?”

“Ten steps ahead?” She toyed with one eyebrow lifted.

“Not this time.” I shook my head.

“We have another hour. Rest your eyes. It’ll all make sense soon enough.”

As if my body understood every word she spoke, it took heed. I yawned, unable to fight her logic. Instead, I found myself drifting again.

“Sonnie.”

Rugger nudged me awake.

“Sonnie.”

“Hm?”

“We’re landing.”

“Landing? Landing where?”

As the words left my mouth, the wheels of the plane collided with the concrete. At full speed, we rushed down a runway of some kind. But, rather swiftly, we halted.

Everything blurred as I stood upon request. Gazelle led me through the aisle, down the steps, and onto a black velvet strip that ended in bare concrete.

Tropical trees swayed around us. The smell of the ocean was prominent. So was the sound. Water was near.

Gazelle’s long legs began in the opposite direction. Though my eyes followed her, keeping up with her became an impossible task. It wasn’t until she reached the black SUV that she realized I wasn’t behind her.

She’s safe here.

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